Staff Writer
It
was a tough home loss for Apex last Friday as the Riverside Pirates (3-2) came
out with a win. The Cougars were defeated by the Pirates 37-31 in double
overtime, falling to 1-3 on the season. Apex has now lost three straight.
The
biggest factors in the loss were mistakes and lapses in execution by both
teams. The Cougars fumbled three times, losing two of them, and the Pirates had
eight penalties for 51 yards. Both teams were unable to convert on third down
with Riverside going two-for-ten and Apex going zero-for-nine. “A lot of plays
could have gone differently,” said Apex head coach Joe Kilby.
Both
teams managed to run the ball very well, with Apex rushing for 406 yards (over
200 of which came in just three carries) and Riverside going for 333 of their
own.
The
game was tied at 10 until the fourth quarter when both teams exploded for 14
points each. The teams then advanced to overtime and eventually double
overtime. The game entered double overtime tied 31-31 when Riverside scored a
touchdown, but the point after was blocked by Rondell James, leaving the score
at 37-31 giving Apex an opportunity to win. The Cougars were eventually left with
a fourth and goal at the ten, but they weren’t able to convert.
“Turnovers
hurt you,” said Kilby about the team’s performance. “There were many ways we
could’ve
won before overtime, but it didn’t work out.”
